Friday, January 28, 2005
I am sitting in my empty classroom right now just thinking about teaching.
I love kids, I do. I especially love this time in the school year. We know each other.
They know when I start cleaning, I am frustrated.
They know if I talk to them in voices, I am playful.
They know if I look at them cross-eyed, they have one last chance before I am annoyed.
They know if I am silent, I am mad.
They know if I call them a nickname, they are accepted.
They know if I send them out to the parking lot with the recycling, they are trusted.
I know if their head is down at 7:45 in the morning, it started out bad.
I know if their book is not out, there is something else more important.
I know if I put my hand on their shoulder and they lean in, they need both hands.
I know if they are standing at my desk before lunch waiting, they need money.
I know if they are looking out the window, they are wishing they were in elementary school.
I know if they ask me if they could switch seats, they have no intention of working.
We both know testing is going to drive us to early graves.
We both know 5 more minutes left of class is useless time.
We both know we wish the tree still had leaves.
Somedays, I have to sit back and just realize it is getting done. We try to balance school stuff with important stuff. We learn about HIV/AIDS in South Africa and when it seems ok to fight. We talk about Nelson Mandela and our mothers.
And when they stay after class, making up something to talk about, or say hello in the hallway, I know I'm doing something right.
I love kids, I do. I especially love this time in the school year. We know each other.
They know when I start cleaning, I am frustrated.
They know if I talk to them in voices, I am playful.
They know if I look at them cross-eyed, they have one last chance before I am annoyed.
They know if I am silent, I am mad.
They know if I call them a nickname, they are accepted.
They know if I send them out to the parking lot with the recycling, they are trusted.
I know if their head is down at 7:45 in the morning, it started out bad.
I know if their book is not out, there is something else more important.
I know if I put my hand on their shoulder and they lean in, they need both hands.
I know if they are standing at my desk before lunch waiting, they need money.
I know if they are looking out the window, they are wishing they were in elementary school.
I know if they ask me if they could switch seats, they have no intention of working.
We both know testing is going to drive us to early graves.
We both know 5 more minutes left of class is useless time.
We both know we wish the tree still had leaves.
Somedays, I have to sit back and just realize it is getting done. We try to balance school stuff with important stuff. We learn about HIV/AIDS in South Africa and when it seems ok to fight. We talk about Nelson Mandela and our mothers.
And when they stay after class, making up something to talk about, or say hello in the hallway, I know I'm doing something right.
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